Ralf Alastair John Little (born 8 February 1980) is an English actor, writer, presenter, narrator and former semi-professional footballer. He has worked mainly in television comedy, including playing Antony Royle in The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006, 2009–2010) and Jonny Keogh in the first six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001–2006). He was the narrator of Channel 5's documentary series Our Yorkshire Farm (2018–2022) as well as the spin-offs, Beyond The Yorkshire Farm: Reuben and Clive and Reuben: Life in the Dales. From 2020 to 2024, he starred as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.
Early life and education
Ralf Alastair John Little[1] was born in February 1980[2] in Oldham and attended Bolton School (Boys' Division) and later living in Whitefield near Bury. His younger brother, Ross Little, is also an actor and played Michael Gilder in Born and Bred. Their parents are accountants.[3][4]
In 1998, Little abandoned his studies at the University of Manchester medical school in order to concentrate on his acting career.[5]
Some of his early television roles included minor roles in various programmes such as Elidor, Children's Ward and Sloggers.[5] Little's big break came when he was offered the role of Antony Royle in the BBC sitcom The Royle Family. Little appeared in the show's original run from September 1998 to December 2000, before returning in three of the show's five Christmas specials, broadcast in 2006, 2009 and 2010.[6][7]
In 2001, he was cast in a main role as Jonny Keogh for six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.[5] During an interview for This Morning in September 2007, Little said that he would not be returning for the next series due to an overwhelming schedule, and his character was subsequently killed off.[8]
In August 2007, he released his first online novel (co-written with Stephen Morris), The Golden Generation, a coming of age tale about a recently single man who is taken under the wings of two city traders who show him the trappings of big money in the big city but that it comes at a price. Money taken from the sale of the novel went to the charity Shelter.[15] He was a cast member of KateModern, a web series developed by the creators of the US YouTube hit lonelygirl15, which started in July 2007 and posted its final video in June 2008.[16]
In July 2008, he appeared in 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, a new play at the Bush Theatre which was revised as 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover at Christmas. In September of the same year, he starred in Massive, a BBC comedy about an indie record label. Also in 2008, Little became the narrator of Monkey Life, and the second series of Last Man Standing. In 2009, he played Clint in Married Single Other, alongside Miranda Raison[17] He also worked on the film Powder.[18] In the autumn of 2010, he starred in The Aliens, a British premiere of a new play by Annie Baker, again at the Bush Theatre.[19] In 2011, he appeared as Richard Dickens in the comedy series The Café, shown on Sky 1, which he co-wrote with Michelle Terry.[20]
In 2014, he appeared in the TV series Our Zoo.[23] He also voiced Captain Skip in The Unbeatables, the English version of Argentine animated film Foosball.[24]
In October 2019, he was confirmed as the new lead in Death in Paradise,[28] returning to the series as a new character, DI Neville Parker, six years after his one-episode guest appearance.[29]
In May 2020, Little, alongside his Royle Family co-star Ricky Tomlinson, presented a six-part travel series titled Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip for Gold.[30]
He played for Chertsey Town during the 2007–08 season and on 8 July 2008 signed for North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes.[34] He has also played celebrity football matches for charity on a few occasions[35][36] and played with members of Hollywood United while in the district for acting career purposes. He also plays for the Arsenal Ex-Pro and Celebrity XI.[37] On 6 June 2010, he participated in a Soccer Aid game for England on the left wing.
